(135f) Efficient Degradation of Organic Pollutants Promoted by Hydrogen Peroxide Electrogenerated in Situ

An environmentally benign electrocatalytic system for organic pollutants degradation with hydrogen peroxide electrogenerated in situ was developed. Under the electrocatalysis, the stronger hydrogen peroxide could be generated in situ continuously by dioxygen activation and significantly improve the degradation of organic pollutants. The quantity of hydrogen peroxide electrogenerated was about 0.6 mmol L-1 at current density 3.5 mA cm-2, sparged dioxygen rate 0.05 m3 h-1. The removal rate of 4-chlorophenol could reach 90% under given operational condition. The generation of hydrogen peroxide was smartly controlled at relatively low concentration by electrochemical action. Thus, the potential hazards problem associated with the storage and transportation of concentrated hydrogen peroxide could be effectively avoided. For the reactions employed hydrogen peroxide as oxidants, our work may provide an attractive option both on environmental and economic basis.